Packaging machine and method

ABSTRACT

A machine including conveyor mechanisms for supporting and delivering articles that are preferably substantially round, from a bulk supply of a random arrangement of said articles to a plurality of single files in which the leading articles are held in alignment in a series thereof for discharge, in succession, into a container moving past the articles so aligned, and a release mechanism on said machine actuatable by each containersupport for releasing one of said articles into each container as each container and its support moves past one of said series of articles.

United States Patent Riley 51 Dec. 12, 1972 [54] PACKAGING MACHINE ANDMETHOD [72] Inventor: Lloyd D. Riley, Danville, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Filper Corporation, San Ramon,

' Calif.

[22] Filed: Aug. 24, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 66,218

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.37,131, May 14,

1970, Pat. No. 3,650,083.

[52] US. Cl .53/35, 53/59 W, 53/240 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65b 5/10 [58] Fieldof Search...53/2l, 35, 26, 59 W, 168, 237, 53/240, 244, 248, 249, 255;198/1, 26, 30,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,507,905 5/1950 Hughes .Q..53/24OX ..53/240 X Pool et al. ..l98/l [/1953 Carter PrimaryExaminer-Robert L. Spruill Attorney-Boyken, Mohler, Foster & Schwab [5 7ABSTRACT A machine including conveyor mechanisms for supporting anddelivering articles that are preferably substantially round, from a bulksupply of a random arrangement of said articles to a plurality of singletiles in which the leading articles are held in alignment in a seriesthereof for discharge, in succession, into a container moving past thearticles so aligned, and a release mechanism on said machine actuatableby each container-support for releasing one of said articles into eachcontainer as each container and its support moves past one of saidseries of articles.

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v INVENTOR. r I BYLLOVD 0 My M1 JM ATTORNEYS PACKAGING MACHINE ANDMETHOD This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 37,131 filed May I4, 1970 and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,083.

SUMMARY Articles that are substantially round, such as citrus fruits,apples, onions and some shapes of potatoes, and

within the capabilities of the machine, and method.

While the efficiency of the machine is greatest in the handling ofarticles that are round or substantially round, but limited degrees ofoblateness or deforma Involved in the solution of the above problemhasbeen that of providing a continuous flow of articles to the delivery'points,.requiring automatically actuatable controls, as well as othercontrols, for. maintaining a relatively uniform flow or movement ofarticles from the bulk source to the delivery points, while insuringdelivery of the desired number of articlesinto the'continuously movingcontainers.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of amachine and method, that will provide a rapid, accurate, and dependabledelivery of articles of the character above described, from a bulksupply to separate discharge points for discharge of an article fromeach of such discharge points into a container continuously moved pastsaid points, and an added object is the provision of means for varyingthe delivery to one or more of said discharge'points,as desired, to varythe number of. articles to be discharged into each container.

An added object of the-invention is the provision, in said machine, of agenerally horizontally extending, flexible, relatively slack,stationarily held, sheet-like conveyor onto which the articles from thebulk supply are fed along one edge thereof for movement in one directionto the opposite edge and which conveyor is supported between said oneedge and said opposite edge on a row of'spaced supporting membersextending transversely of said one direction movable in said onedirection to provide a row of article-supporting troughs forarticlesmovable from said one edge to the other edge for delivery of saidarticles over said opposite edge, whereby the articles willautomatically arrange themselves along the width of said conveyorgenerally in rows in said troughs for further delivery into single tilesin downwardly inclined troughs extending to the lower discharge ends ofthe latter.

A further object of the invention is the provision of sensitive anddependable control means for varying the rate of movement of thearticles to thepoints where they are discharged into the containers.

An additional object is the provision of a packaging -machine havingmeansfor arranging random articles into columns or successions fromwhich the articles are released successively into plural containersmoving by the discharge ends of the successions, the release beingeffected by a control mechanism actuated by movement of each containertherepast, and yet another object is the provision of a clutch-actuatedrotatable wheel having plural circumferentially spaced article socketseach movable from a receiving position to a discharge position by meansof incremental radial movements effected by said clutch.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel method ofdisengaging meshed gears to serve as said clutch.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the description and in thedrawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a packagingmachine showing the feed portions for the articles, butomitting variouselements for clarity, which other elements are shown in other views. Aportion of aconventional container supporting machine is indicated inbroken lines.

FIG. 2 is a simplified top plan view of the machine showing aconventional container or bag supporting machine in relation to thepresent machine, and showing a driving connection between part of thepresent machine and the container supporting machine which is at theright-hand end of the present machine.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side-elevational view, partly in section andpartly broken away, showing the arrangement of FIG. 1 including certainstructure omitted from the latter.

FIG. 3a is a fragmentary enlargement of a portion of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top plan view of the downwardlyinclined channels for supporting plural successions of articles fordelivery to the containers on the container supporting machine, part ofthe latter being shown, and also part of a grid or screen that extendsover the channels.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the container supports inwhich two of the actuating spurs or arms are shown in the inoperativeposition of FIG. 10 in broken lines.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, sectional view taken alongline 6-6 of FIG. 4 with gear teeth out of mesh.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 6,but showing the teeth of the gears of FIG. 6 in driving relation witheach other.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the structure FIG. 9 is afragmentary top plan view similar to that of FIG. 8 showing a gearsupporting element of the artiole-releasing mechanism in a position inwhich the gears are in mesh as seen in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of one of the spurs or arms shown on acontainer support of FIG. 8 separate from the container support and inoperating position for actuating an article release mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the spur in inoperativeposition.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, part elevational, part sectional view of anadjacent pair of article-releasing ele- FIG. 13 is an enlarged view,broken in length, of a reciprocating portion of one of the inclinedarticle-supporting feed channels seen in elevation in FIG. 3, includingthe oscillating supports for reciprocating the channels of an adjacentpair.

FIG. 14 is a simplified side-elevational view of the driving arrangementof several of the conveyors in the system; a profile of the machine,apart from said driving arrangement, being indicated in broken lines.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, elevational view of the variable drive forcontrolling the delivery of articles to the inclined article-supportingchannels according to the load on the carrier that so delivers saidarticles.

FIG. 16 is a semi-schematic view of the driving arrangement shown inFIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the hydraulically actuated controlelement shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a semi-schematic overall view of the driving system with theexception of the drive arrangement shown in FIG. 13 and part of thatshown in FIGS. 14, 16.

FIG; 19 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side-elevational view of theadjustable screen or grid indicated in FIG. 3 and supported over the rowof article-supporting channels, and

FIG. 19A is a fragmentary view taken along line 19A 19A of FIG. 19.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary, enlarged, top plan view of the grid that ispositioned over the channels 4, showing one of the side frame and endframe members.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged prospective view of one of the elements adaptedto be supported at the upper ends of any one or more of the channels forblocking off delivery of articles to one or more of the channels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Outline Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, the systemillustrated shows a hopper, generally designated 1, for holding a supplyof the articles to be packaged, which articles are removed from thehopper by a conventional elevator conveyor. 2 extending upwardly fromwithin said hopper and are delivered onto the receiving end portion of agenerally horizontally disposed carrier or table 3 for movement thereonaway from said conveyor for discharge onto the upper ends of ahorizontally extending row of downwardly inclined article supportingchannels or troughs 4 for forming a succession or single file of saidarticles in each channel 4.

The articles, where they are indicated in either broken or full lines,are generally designated 5 (FIG. 6), except for the leading or lowermostarticle in each channel 4 before its release or discharge for movementinto a container. Such lower-most article is designated 5'. The trailingarticle of each succession is the one at the uppermost end of eachchannel, (FIG. 3).

Along the lower ends of the channels is a row of article releasingdevices, generally designated 6 (FIG. 1), and adjacent to said devices 6is a container conveyor or container supporting means 7, which conveyor,in general, is conventional.

First Bulk Conveyor The elevator conveyor 2 includes transverse flightsfor carrying the articles upwardly from a bulk mass within the hopperand discharging them onto the end portion of the carrier or table 3adjacent thereto.

Intermediate Conveyor The carrier or table 3 is one of the conveyingmeans between the hopper and the container supporting machine.

A rigid frame generally designated 8, (FIGS. 1, 3) includes forward andrear sets of legs 9 supporting a pair of rigid side frame members 10 attheir upper ends. Only the near side frame member is shown in FIG. 1.

A set of opposed upstanding legs 13 on side frame members 10 (FIG. 1)are equally spaced forwardly of the conveyor 2, adjacent to channels 4,and a rectangular, horizontally disposed frame 14 is pivotally supportedat its forward end on the upper ends of the legs 13 by a shaft 15, whilethe rear end of said frame is pivotally connected by coaxial pivots 16(FIGS. 1, 3) with the upper ends of depending arms 17 that, in turn, arepivotally connected at 18 with the rear ends of correspondinghorizontally extending arms 19.

The words forward, forwardly, rear and rearwardly are used relative tothe direction of movement of the articles, which move forwardly" fromconveyor 2.

Only the legs 13 and arms 17, 18 and their pivotal connections at thenear side of the machine are shown in the drawings, it being understoodthat they are duplicated at the opposite side.

A rod or shaft 20 (FIGS. 1, 3) is rotatably supported at its ends incorresponding bearings 21 on the rear ends of side frame members 10. Theforward ends of arms 19 are secured to the ends of shaft 20. Ahorizontally extending arm 22 is secured at its rear end to shaft 20 andcarries a counterweight 23 on its forward end, which counterweight isadjustable along arm 21 toward and away from shaft 20. A helical spring24 (FIGS. 1, 3, 16) may connect counterweight 23 with a bracket rigidwith the side frame member 10 to stabilize the vertical movement of thecarrier 3 under the changing weight of a load.

Carrier frame 14 includes a rear cross member 27 (FIG. 3) extendingbetween and rigid with the rear ends of the sides of said frame andcorresponding depending rods 28 adjacent to the ends of cross framemember 27 are rigid at their upper ends with said side frame members. Across bar 29 extends between the lower ends of rods 28 and is securedthereto.

At the forward end of carrier frame 14, rods 30, similar to rods 28except that they are vertically adjustable in brackets 31 on frame 14,depend from said brackets and carry a cross bar 29' at their lower ends.Cross bar 29, corresponds to cross rod 29, (FIG. 3a).

A forward cross frame member 27 (FIG. 3a), corresponding to cross framemember 27, is at the forward end of frame 14 adjacent to, but spacedabove, cross bar 29'.

Above cross bar 29', and slightly forwardly thereof, and between thelevels of crossframe member 27' and bar 29', is a cylindrical bar 32parallel with bar 29', which cylindrical bar is secured on the lowerends of rods 33, which rods 33 also adjustably depend from brackets 31.Set screws 34, or bolts, releasably hold the rods 30, 33 in verticaladjusted positions.

A flexible sheet-like support 35 (FIG. 3), which may be duck or othersuitable material, is secured at one end to the bar 29 and extendsupwardly over the frame member 27 and forwardly over the cylindrical bar32 for securement at its forward end to the cross bar 29'. This sheet 35is relatively slack between the rear and forward cross frame members 27,27 and to the cross bar 29'. The level of the cylindrical bar 32determines the level at which articles moved over cross frame member 27will be discharged, or leave sheet 35.

The articles 5 to be packaged are discharged from the upper end ofconveyor 2 onto the left end of the sheet 35, as viewed in FIG. 3, whichend may be called the articlereceiving portion of carrier 3 or sheet 35.

Carried by a sub frame 14' below frame 14, but rigid therewith and partof frame 14. and below the support or sheet '35, is the article movingdevice, generally designated 36, that effects movement of the articlesfrom the article receiving'portion of sheet 35 to the opposite end ofthe sheet for discharge of said articles over cross bar 27" onto theupper ends of the channels or troughs 4.

Said article moving device 36 comprises the upper run of a horizontallyextending endless row of spaced rollers 37. The rollers of the rowextend transversely of the sheet or support 35, and the upper run ofrollers extends from the receiving to the-discharge end of said support35.

' Shafts 38, respectively adjacent the receiving and discharge ends ofsheet 35 are journalled for rotation in bearings carried by sub frame 14that extends below the sheet 35 and sprocket wheels 40 on the ends ofsaid shafts are connected by endless chains 41 providing upper and lowerruns extending approximately from end-to-end of the article supportingportion of sheet 35. The rollers 37 are carried at their ends by linksof the chains 41.

The upper runs of chain 41 are supported horizon tally on guides 42,secured at their ends to frame elements rigid with and part of frame 14.Said guides support the upper run of rollers 37 in engagement with theunderside of the sheet-like support 35 along lines sufficiently spacedapart so that the slack sheet will sag between adjacent pairs of saidrollers to provide transversely extending troughs generally designated43, (FIG. 3).

In referring to the support 35 as a sheet it is to be understood that itmay be continuous, as a flexible sheet of duck or belting or formed ofslats, but sufficiently flexible for forming the troughs 43.

Upon actuation of the article moving device through a driving connectionwith a sprocket on shaft 15, as will later be described more in detail,the rollers extending between the upper runs of chains 41 are moved fromleft to right (FIG. 3) thereby causing the articles 5 on said support 35to roll toward the right-hand end of the support for dischargethereover. Thus the sheet 35 is held while the troughs 43 move and thearticles 5 readily distribute themselves longitudinally of the troughs,being urged for rolling by the rear of trailing side of each trough. I

The tension or degree of slack in sheet 35 may be varied by verticaladjustment of bars that carry the cross bar 29' to which the forward endof the sheet is secured.

The roller 32, being forwardly of the cross bar 29' will support aportion of the sheet 35 in a forwardly and downwardly inclined positionto guide the articles after passing over the cross bar 29'. Rods 33supporting the roller 32 enable adjusting the level at which thearticles leave the inclined forward portion of support 35.

Transfer Plate The articles leaving the forwardly and downwardlyinclined portion of the sheet or support 35 are deposited onto anelongated, horizontally extending transfer plate 45 (FIGS. 1, 19). Plate45 is parallel with roller 32 and adjacent to the latter, and istransversely inclined to extend slantingly downwardly and forwardly ofthe line where the articles leave said inclined portion of sheet 35,(FIG. 3a), and'the upper surface of said plateis provided with lowridges 46 (FIGS. 1, 18 19) extending transversely thereof in positionsintermediateadjacent channels4.

Plate (FIG. 19) is adjustably supported at its ends on the upper ends ofupstanding legs 47 for adjusting its degree of inclination relative tohorizontal, after which it is held in adjusted position by any suitablemeans actuated by revolvable arm 44.

Said legs 47 (FIG. 19) extend through vertical tubular end portions 48on a flat-sided bar 49 that extends parallel with plate 45, and setscrews 50 secure said legs 47 in vertical adjusted positions.

The flat sides of bar 49 are vertical and its lower edge is supported onrollers 51 for longitudinal reciprocation of the bar, while pairs ofside rollers 52 at opposite sides of the bar support the bar and legs 47upright during said reciprocation (FIG. 19). Said rollers are supportedon rigid frame elements generally designated 53.

A leg 54 secured at its .upper end to the flat bar 49 extends downwardlyfrom the latter (FIG. 19) and its lower end is pivotally connected toone end of a connecting rod 55, (FIGS. 18, 19). The other end of saidconnecting rod is pivotally connected to one end of a crank arm 56 (FIG.18) that is on one end of a shaft 57. Said shaft is supported forrotation on a part of frame 8 and is power-driven (as will later beexplained in detail) for revolving crank arm 56 to effect vibration orreciprocation of transfer plate 45 longitudinally of the latter.

Rollers 58 supported on the forward end of frame 14 adjacent to and overthe ends of the plate 45 retain articles on the transfer plate fromfalling over the ends of the latter.

Channels Supporting Successions of Articles Each article-supportingtrough or channel 4 comprises an adjacent pair of elongated intermediatestrips 61 of inverted V-shape in cross-sectional contour (FIGS. 1, 12,13), and includes longitudinal extensions 62, 63, respectively, at theupper and lower ends of each strip 61. I

The end portions of each intermediate strip 61 are slidably seated inthe inverted V of extensions 62, 63 for longitudinal reciprocation ofstrip 61 relative to said extensions (FIG. 13). Said extensions 62, 63are stationary being rigidly held on horizontal strips 64 that connectside frame members 65 that, in turn, are sup ported on legs 65'. Legs65' are rigidly supported on part of frame 8.

Alternate, intermediate strips 61 of the row thereof are each yieldablyheld seated against the under surfaces of the end extensions 62, 63 by aspring 66 (FIG. 13) that, in turn, reacts between an element 67 rigid oneach strip 61 and a plate or shoulder 68. Plate 68 is secured on a pin69 projecting upwardly from tubular, horizontally extending rod 70 that,in turn, is secured on the upper ends of a number of corresponding arms71, which arms are pivotally secured at their lower ends by pivots 72 toa rigid portion 73 of frame 8. The upper end of each pin 69 slidablyextends through an opening in one of the elements 67.

A connecting rod 74 is pivotally connected at one end at 75 to arm 71adjacent the upper end of the latter and the opposite end is connectedto an eccentric 76 (FIG. 18) on a power-driven shaft 77 forreciprocating alternate strips 61 relative to the upper and lowerextensions 62, 63.

The strips 61 between the alternate strips above described (FIG. 13) arereciprocated oppositely to said alternate strips and are also supportedat their ends against stationary extensions identical to extensions 62,63. A tubular cross rod 70' identical to rod 70 is supported on arms 81,at least one of which is connected by rod 82 with an eccentric 83 onshaft 77. Eccentric 83 is offset oppositely to eccentric 76.

By this foregoing arrangement, rotation of shaft 77 will cause thestrips 61, 61 that form opposite sides of each trough or channel 4 toreciprocate oppositely. Articles in each channel will move downwardlyunder the influence of gravity and at the same time they will tend to berotated about axes perpendicular to the plane in which the channels arepositioned to insure the articles in each succession against stickingtogether but being in adjoining relation at the lower discharge end ofeach channel, irrespective of irregularities in the contours of thearticles.

A vertical post 84 (FIG. 13), rigid on the upper end of each rigid upperextension 62 will function to guide the articles into the upper ends ofthe channels as said articles pass from the vibrating plate 45 into saidchannels 4.

Overhead Grid Spaced above and substantially parallel with the row ofchannels 4 formed by strips 61, 61' and their extensions 62, 63, is agrid 85 adjustably supported for tilting relative to horizontal aboutcoaxial pivots 86 (FIG. 19). Pivots 86 are at the upper ends of a pairof opposed arms 87, the pivots being secured to angle strips 88; Thegrid 85 includes side frame members 89, that are supported on anglestrips 88 for adjustment of the grid in one direction or the otherlongitudinally of the channels or troughs 4. Set screws 90 secure thegrid in adjusted position.

FIG. is a fragmentary top plan view of the grid 85 at one cornerthereof, which grid is omitted from the other views, except FIGS. 3, 19,to avoid its confusion with other elements.

Briefly, said grid preferably comprises a horizontal row of strips orbars 91 parallel with side frame members 89, which bars are spaced fromeach other and are secured at their ends to end frame members 92 offrame 85. Cross rods 93 are secured at their ends to side frame members89 and to the upper sides of bars 91. The grid prevents double-layeringof articles 5 fed into the channels 4 and keeps them in single fileswithout injury to the articles, such as oranges and the like.

The height of the grill above the channels 4 is adjustable by means ofvertically extending links 94 (FIG. 19). Said links are pivotallyconnected at their upper ends to arms 87 at points adjacent the upperends of the latter, while their lower ends are secured in one of severalopenings 95 in horizontally extending bars 96 that, in turn, are securedat one of their ends on a horizontal cross shaft 97 supported inbearings rigid on frame 8. An arm 98 secured at one end to said shaftprovides means for rotating the shaft and thereby elevating the grid insleeves 99 (FIG. 19) through which arms 87 extend and in which said armsare releasably clamped by screws 100. Said screws extend through sleeves99 into engagement with arms 87.

Sleeves 99 are pivotally supported on shoulder screws 101 secured onrigid frame members 102 and said sleeves 99 may be rigidly clamped toframe members 65 by nuts 103 on screws 101.

Projections 104 respectively supported on the angle strips 88 that carrythe grid 85 are positioned at opposite sides of the upper ends of saidangle strips. Screws 105 threadedly extend through said projections intoengagement with opposite sides of the upper ends of said angle stripsabove pivots 86 and enable adjusting the grid in tilted position and tohold it in its adjusted tilted position. The outer ends 106 of saidscrews 105 may be square for engagement with a crank or the like forrotating said screws.

Article Releasing Devices At the lower end of each channel or trough 4is an article-releasing device or control mechanism generally designated6 comprising a wheel 110 (FIGS. 6, l2) journalled for rotation abouthorizontal countershaft 111 extending laterally of the channel adjacentthereto so as to provide sequentially plural circumferentially spacedpockets defined by adjacent radiating fingers 112-112. In the drawingsthe fingers 112-112 define four radially outwardly opening pockets,although more or fewer may be provided, and the fingers or spokes112-112 are in axially spaced pairs with one pair adjacent to the lowerend of each channel 4 (FIG. 12).

FIG. 6 shows wheel 110 disposed receiving the leading, lower end-article5' of a succession from a succession 5 in the channel, which article 5'is cradled by the fingers 112-112 while controlling the gravity flow ofthe balance of said succession.

Each countershaft 111 is journalled for rotation in the forward ends ofa pair of spaced arms 113 of a frame, generally designated 114 (FIG. 6),the rear ends of said arms being pivotally supported at 115 (FIG. 6) ona member 116 rigid on frame 114. A plate 117 supports member 116.

Arms 118 (FIG. 3) at each lateral sides of the machine, carry plate 117at their forward ends. Upright legs 119 on the rear ends of legs 118 arepivotally connected with side frame members by pivots 120. The forwardends of arms 118 are supported on eccentric members 121 (FIG. 19)secured on the ends of a shaft 122 that, in turn, is rotatable inmembers'rigid on main frame 8. Handle 123 on one end of shaft 122enables lowering frame 14 for servicing elements carried thereon. Arm123 on shaft 122 is slightly past the center of eccentric 121 when in upposition, and a spring loaded latch 123 releasably holds it there.

Referring to FIG. 6, the wheel 110 is in its elevated or raisedposition, said wheel having 'just rotated clockwise past the receivingstation wherein the leading article 5', such as an orange, has moved bygravity into a pocket in the wheel at substantially the coincidentmoment the preceding orange 5"was discharged from the open side of thepreceding pocket of the wheel into a container 126 (FIG. 3). Container126 is on the plural container supporting and actuating device generallydesignated 7 which device is adapted to support containers with theiropen mouths or upper'open sides positioned to move along a predeterminedpath adjacent to thedischarge ends of channels 4 to sequentially receivearticles from the wheels 110.

In the position shown in FIG. 6 the orange, or article 5' isintermediate the receiving station and its discharge station. Thismomentary resting position is effected by means of a cam 128 (FIGS. 6-9)having a saddle 129 (FIG. 6) in which one of plural dogs 130, fixed toand projecting from a side of peripherally toothed gear 131 issupported.

One gear 131 is secured on each countershaft 111 in a position at oneside of each wheel 110, and in said intermediate position, theperipheral teeth of gear 131 are held in disengaged relation to acompanion gear or pinion 132 therebelow. A shaft 133 spaced below andparallel with the countershafts 111 is supported for rotation on thetilt frame 114. This shaft has a row of the above-mentioned pinions 132secured thereon, one being positioned below each gear 131, and the shaftis continuously rotated by the same means that drives the containersupporting means 7, as will later be described more in detail.

Each cam 128 is secured on a lever arm 134 (FIG. 8) that extendsapproximately parallel with arms 113 alongside each gear 131. The rearend of each arm 134 is pivotally connected to plate 117 of the tiltframe by a vertical pivot 135 and is yieldably held in the positionshown in FIG. 8 by tension spring 136. In this position the projectionor dog 130 on gear 131 is supported in saddle 129 on the cam 128 (FIG.6), hence the teeth on gear 131 and the constantly rotating pinion 132immediately therebelow are disengaged.

On the forward end of each lever arm 134 is a vertically disposed sleeve137 (FIG. 6) in which is rotatably supported one vertical leg 138 of aU-shaped member generally designated 139. The forward end portion of arm134 supporting said sleeve is offset to one side of the length of saidarm (FIG. 8) and a collar 140 secured on the upper end of leg 138 has arearward projection or arm 141 to which the forward end of spring 136 isattached (FIGS. 7, 8).

The other leg 142 of the U-member 139 supports a vertical roller 143(FIGS. 6, 7) thereon, and spring 136 yieldably holds arm 134 in theposition shown in FIG. 8 in which cam 128 supports the gear 131 inelevated position as seen in FIG. 6. Spring 136 also yieldably holds theU-member 139 in the position shown in FIG. 8 in which roller 143 ispositioned forwardly of gear 131.

Upon arm clockwise about the axis of pivot 135 against a stop 134', thecam 128 on said arm will be withdrawn from below dog on gear 131 andsaid gear will drop to the position shown in FIG. 7 in which its teethwill engage the teeth of the constantly rotating pinion 132. The dog 130that was supported in saddle 129 on cam 128 and against an upstandingstop 144 (FIG. 6) adjacent to said saddle, will be free from said stopfor rotation of gear 131 in a clockwise direction by pinion 132 uponsaid withdrawal of cam 128, and article 5 in the pocket of wheel 110that is on the same countershaft as the gear 131 will be rotatedclockwise to discharge article 5' into a container on thecontainersupporting means 7.

The means for swinging each arm 134 to move cam 128 thereon fromsupporting a gear 131 in elevated position, comprises an arm 145 (FIGS.7-11) pivotally supported on each of the container supports. Each arm145 has a hub 146 (FIGS. 10,11) on one end, which hub is rotatable on ahorizontal pin 147 and is also slidable on said pin longitudinally ofthe latter.

A coil spring 148 around pin 147 reacts between a collar 149 secured onone end of said pin and a hub 146 to yieldably urge hub 146 against acollar 150, also secured on pin 147. Hub 146 and collar 150 are formedwith interengaging projections 151, 152 on their opposed, axially facingends that function to hold arm 145 projecting rearwardly from eachcontainer support to engage each roller 143 that is held in a forwardposition by action of spring 136.

Upon movement of the container supports past said rollers 143 in thedirection of arrow 153 (FIGS. 8, 9) each arm 145 projecting rearwardlyfrom the container support carrying the arm will engage the forwardlyprojecting roller 143 and swing arm 134 clockwise about pivot towithdraw cam 128 from below dog 130 on wheel 131. Arm will then pass theroller whereupon the cam 128 will quickly move back to its originalposition in the path of the next dog 130 on gear 131 to again lift thegear 131 out of engagement with pinion 132. The article 5' will bedischarged during the period while the gear 131 and pinion 132 wereengaged as seen at 5" (FIG. 6).

One or more arms 145 may be mounted on each container supporting means,and to render any of them inoperative, the arm 145 and its hub 146 ismoved axially on pin 147 away from collar until projection 151 on hub146 clears the outer end of projection 152 on collar 150, and the arm145 is rotated to a retracted position (FIG. 11) in which the projection151 is at the opposite side of projection 152, and the arm 145 is thenreleased to be held in retracted position by projection 152.

In this retracted position, the arm 145 will not engage any of therollers 143 to effect the release of an article. In FIG. 5, two of thethree arms are shown in retracted positions.

134 being swung horizontally and As best seen in FIGS. 6, 8, 9, a rod154, parallel with the row of gears 131 and forwardly thereof, hasfingers 154 positioned and inclined relative to horizontal to supporteach article in discharged position from the wheel 110 in moving to thecontainer support.

Container Supporting Means The container supporting means, generallydesignated 7, and illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 is of a conventional type inwhich an endless, horizontally disposed row of upwardly opening funnels155 are respectively connected to links of an endless chain 156extending around horizontally disposed sprocket wheels 157. The detailsof the supporting means for the funnels is well known in the art. Wheels157 are on vertical shafts 158, one of which carries a pulley 159 (FIG.2)'that is connected by a V-belt 160 with the drive pulley 161 of avariable speed power transmission unit driven by motor 162. Thedirection of movement of the funnels 155 is counterclockwise as viewedin FIG. 2. A second pulley 163 on the shaft 158 carrying pulley 159 isconnected by a V-belt with a pulley 165 on a vertical shaft 166 that issupported on the frame for the container supporting means. Shaft 166 isconnected by a flexible shaft 167 (FIGS. 2, 4, 18) with one end of shaft133 (FIGS. 6, 7) that carries pinions 132.

The mouths or open upper ends of funnels 155 may be rectangular and aresupported by chains 156 for moving one of the straight, horizontallyextending upper edges 170 (FIG. 4) in a path parallel with the row ofarticle releasing wheels 110.

Arms 145 that actuate the rollers 139 are secured to each funnel 155along edge 170. In FIG. 4 all of the arms 145 are shown in operativepositions, but any or all of the arms on one or more funnels may bemoved to the inoperative position (FIG. 11).

In certain instances it may be desirable to stop delivery of articlesinto one or more of the channels 4, in which case a plate 171 (FIG. 21)secured on one of the corresponding ends of a pair of sections 172 thatare of inverted V-shape in cross-sectional contour is supported on theupper extensions 62 of the strips 61 to extend across the open upper endof a channel or trough 4, the said sections 172 fitting over saidextensions 62, and part of the plate 171 engaging the upper end edges ofsaid extensions. Obviously the plate 171 may be sufficiently wide toextend over the upper ends of a plurality of said channels, to block offentry of articles to a plurality of said channels, or a plurality ofindividual units may be used, as desired.

Control System A motor 175 (FIG. drives a variable pitch pulley 176(FIG. 15) that, in turn, is connected by belt 177 (FIG. 14) with apulley 178 secured on a transverse shaft 179. A second variable pitchpulley 180 on shaft 179 is connected by a belt 181 (with a pulley 182(FIG. 15) on a shaft 183 joumalled in bearings on a rigid portion offrame 8. A sprocket wheel 184 (FIG. 14) on shaft 183 is connected with achain 185 that, in turn, extends over a pair of sprocket wheels 186, 187respectively on shafts 188, 189 for driving sprocket wheels 186, 187.

A sprocket wheel on shaft 188 is connected by a chain 190 with asprocket wheel 190 on a shaft 191 that is also carried on a rigid partof frame 8, and a chain 192 connects a second sprocket wheel on shaft191 corresponding to wheel with a sprocket wheel 193 on shaft 194. Shaft194 carries the pair of sprocket wheels 195 at the upper end of theendless elevator conveyor 2 for actuating the latter to deliver articlesfrom hopper 1 onto the carrier table 3.

' Intermeshing bevel gears 196 (FIG. 14) respectively on shaft 189, andon a shaft 197, drive a chain 198 that connects sprocket wheels 199respectively on shaft 197 and on one of the end pulleys of an endlessconveyor belt 200 for driving the latter.

Conveyor belt 200 extends horizontally below the article release devices6 at the forward end of the machine to receive thereon any articles thatmay be accidentally discharged, or dropped, from the article releasingdevices 6 which are above said conveyor.

Articles on conveyor 200 will be discharged onto the lower end of anupwardly inclined endless belt 201 having slats or flights thereon forcarrying said articles upwardly and returning them to the hopper 1 atthe upper end of conveyor 201. A pulley supporting shaft 202 supportsthe upper pulley 203 of endless belt 201 above the upper end of hopper 1and a sprocket wheel on said shaft 202 is connected by a chain 204 witha sprocket wheel 205 on a shaft 206.

A second sprocket wheel on shaft 206, corresponding to sprocket wheel205, is connected by a chain 207 with a sprocket wheel on shaft 183 thatcorresponds to sprocket wheel 184 on the same shaft.

By this structure it is seen that motor 175 drives the conveyors 2, 200,201.

The motor 175 and variable pitch pulley 176 are supported on the outerend of an arm 210 (FIGS. 15, 16) that is supported at its inner end on ahorizontal pivot 211 for vertical movement of said motor and pulley, andthe outer end of said arm 210 is connected with one end of a chain 212.Chain 212 extends upwardly from the outer end of arm 210 over a sprocketwheel 213 which sprocket wheel is rigid with a sleeve 214 (FIGS. 17-18)that, in turn, is rigid with the housing 216 of a gear pump generallydesignated 217. Drive gear 218 of said gear pump is keyed to a shaft 219that rotatably supports sleeve 214 and housing 216, and said gear 218 iskeyed onto said shaft 219. Shaft 219 is supported on a rigid part of theframe 8 for rotation.

A spring 208 connects the lower end of chain 212 at a point adjacent tothe lower end of arm 210 with a point on rigid frame 8, and the otherend of said chain extends over and depends from sprocket wheel 213 andis connected to a weight 209, (FIGS. 15, 16).

Shaft 219 has a sprocket wheel 220 on one end thereof that is connectedby a chain 221 with a sprocket wheel 222 (FIG. 18) secured on a shaft223. Said shaft 223 is driven by a motor 224 (FIG. 18) that isoperatively connected by an endless V-belt 225 extending over pulleys226, 227, the latter being on a shaft extending to gear box 228 fromwhich driven shaft 223 also extends. Thus it is seen that the pump 217is driven by motor 224.

A sprocket wheel 229 on shaft 223 is connected by a chain 230 with asprocket wheel 231 on shaft 15 that supports the pivoted end of thearticle moving device 36, and that also carries sprocket wheels 40 thatsupport the forward ends of the chains 41 carrying the article movingrollers 37.

Also keyed on shaft 223 (FIG. 18) is a bevel gear 233 that is in meshwith a bevel gear 234 secured on shaft 57. Shaft 57 has the crank arm 56on one end, the outer end of which arm 56 is pivotally connected withone end of the connecting rod 55, which rod is operatively connectedwith the article transfer plate 45 for vibrating or reciprocatingthelatter, (FIGS. 18, 19) as has hereinbefore been described.

A take-off shaft from the gear box 228 carries a sprocket wheel 236(FIG. 18) that, in turn, is connected by a chain 237 with a sprocketwheel 238 on shaft 77. Said shaft 77 is operatively connected withstrips 61 through eccentrics 76, 83 for reciprocating said strips.

Pulley 226 (FIGS. 3, 18) on motor 224 is a variable pitch motor pulley,the latter beingon a base connected by a screw having a manuallyrotatable wheel 229 for changing the pitch of pulley 226 for varying therate of movement of all elements actuated by motor 224.

Referring. toFlG. 17, a reservoir 240 contains the fluid for gear pump217, a flexible .inlet conduit 241 extending from the reservoir to oneside of housing 216 of said pump and a flexible outlet conduit 242extending from the opposite side of said housing to said reservoir.

A needle valve body 243 that includes a needle valve element 244, isinterposed in iconduit 241, the reciprocable movement of said element244 controlling the volume of flow of fluid through the pump.

Reciprocable movement of the valve element 244 is under the influence ofpivotal movement of the frame 14 (FIG. 3) about shaft 15 is the load onthe sheet 35 increases and decreases. This is effected through an arm245 (FIGS. 3, 16) that is rigid with and depends from the forward end'offrame 14 adjacent to shaft 15. The lower end of said arm is providedwith a rearwardly extending member 246 on the rear end of which theneedle element is supported for generally reciprocable movement as thelower end of said arm swings under variations in the load on sheet 35,and particularly the portion of the load at the receiving end portion ofthe sheet. This load at said rear end portion of sheet 35 will increaseas the load piles up ahead of said rear end portion.

As the load on the sheet 35 increases, the gear housing 216 will rotatecounterclockwise as seen in FIG. 16 thereby rotating sprocket wheel 213thereon counterclockwise, with the result that chain 212 will move tolower the outer end of arm 210 carrying motor 175 and variable pitchpulley 176 automatically decreasing the rate of movement of the elevatorconveyor 2 but without decreasing the rate of movement of the articlemoving rollers 37 of the article moving means 36.

The rate of movement of conveyor 2 may be manually controlled toestablish a normal flow of articles onto the sheet 35. This isaccomplished by the provision of a pulley 247 (FIG. 15) in engagementwith belt 181 that connects the variable pitch pulley 180. Pulley 247 ison one end of a connecting rod 248 the other end of which rod 248 isconnected with shaft 250 supported for rotation on frame member 10. Alever arm 251 (FIG. 3) secured on the end of shaft 250 is manuallymovable to diflerent positions thereby swinging pulley 247 to positionbelt 181 at different positions on variable pitch pulley 180.

In the event the load on the receiving end of sheet 35 should becomelighter than normal, the valve housing 217 will rotate on shaft 219 toresult in elevating motor 175 and the variable pitch pulley 176 therebyincreasing the rate of movement of elevator conveyor 2.

As seen in FIG. 3, the arms 22 having counterweight 23 therein willswing upwardly as the weight of the articles on sheet 35 increases.Supported on a rigid portion of frame 8 above arm 22 is a switch 251that is in the electrical circuit with motor 175, which switch isactuated by actuation of switch element 252 thereon by the arm 22 upon apredetermined rise in said arm, thereby stopping the motor 175 and allmechanisms driven thereby, including elevator conveyor 2. Such stoppagewill occur only when theload on the sheet 35 should become abnormallyheavy. The motor 175 and all mechanisms driven thereby willautomatically start after the load has been reduced.

Manner of Operation Upon starting motor 175 (FIG. 14) the elevatorconveyor 2, and conveyors 200, 201 will be actuated, and upon actuationof motor 224 (FIGS. 3, 18) the article moving means or device 36,transfer plate 45 and channel strips 61 will be actuated. Actuation ofmotor 162 of the container supporting and moving machine 7 and thearticle releasing device 6 will be instituted.

The articles '5 deposited onto sheet 35 will be moved by the action ofrollers 37 onto the vibrating or reciprocating transfer plate 45 formovement thereacross into the upper ends of channels 4 of which theopposite sides of each include oppositely reciprocating strips 61.

At the lower endsof said channels the leading or lowermost article 5' ofthe succession of articles 5 in said channels will be held by astationary wheel at the lower end of each channel until one of a row ofcontinuously moving container supports passes the wheel, when the wheelwill be quickly rotated by the power means moving said supports torelease said leading article into the container on said supports.

The article releasing wheels may be actuated to release an article fromone or more of a plurality of channels into each container on thesupports of the row of supports or means is provided for releasing saidarticles into certain container supports.

The article moving means being rollers in spaced lines parallel to theupper ends of the row of channels, the articles on sheet 35 will tend toautomatically arrange themselves along lines parallel with said upperends for discharge from the sheet along a line that is along said upperends. It is important that the plural successions of articles in thechannels should be maintained, thus it is important that the supply ofarticles on the sheet 35 should be adequate. This makes it importantthat the supply of articles onto the sheet should be adequatelycontrolled.

Inasmuch as the rate of movement of the elevator conveyor 2 may be bothmanually and automatically controlled, and the rate of movement of thearticlemoving means for articles on sheet 35 may be manually controlled,and as separate motors actuate the elevator conveyor and thearticle-moving means, an accurate, relatively uniform, and dependableflow of articles may be maintained from the hopper l to the dischargepoints at the lower ends of channels 4. Also the rate of movement of thecontainer supports may be varied.

I claim: 1. The method of packaging discrete, rollable articles ofapproximately uniform shape and size that comprises the steps of:

a. supporting a layer of said articles for movement in ahorizontally-extending path in one direction for discharge of saidarticles from said path along a fixed, horizontal line disposed normalto said direction of travel, and so moving the articles of said layer,

b. receiving said articles so discharged along said line, and thenguiding and supporting said articles so received in files of separatesuccessions extending from said line to spaced points for movementlongitudinally of said files under the influence of gravity to separatedischarge points to provide a leading article in each succession at eachdischarge point;

e. supporting a row of containers for movement thereof past saiddischarge points in positions for receiving articles discharged at saidpoints, and so moving said containers;

d. releasing the said leading article from said succession under theinfluence of movement of said container past said discharge pointwhereby each container will receive a plurality of articles with atleast one from each succession;

e. rolling said articles of said layer during movement thereof to saidfixed line by force continuously applied to said articles alongstraight, parallel, horizontal spaced lines parallel to said fixed lineand continuously moved toward said fixed horizontal line whereby saidarticles of said layer will arrange themselves along straight, parallel,spaced lines parallel to said fixed line before arriving at said fixedline for simultaneous discharge of the articles in each of saidstraight, parallel, spaced lines arriving at said fixed line for formingsaid files.

2. The method of packaging discrete, rollable articles of approximatelyuniform shape and size including the steps of:

a. feeding said articles from a bulk source of supply onto one end of arelatively slack, horizontally disposed, flexible, stationarily heldsheet at said one end only and at the opposite end opposite theretoalong parallel end lines,

b. supporting the portion of said sheet between said end lines onsupports of an endless row disposed along parallel spaced, intermediatelines in sideby-side relation parallel with said end lines supported formovement in a horizontal plane at a level for sagging of said sheetbetween adjacent pairs of the supports supporting said sheet along saidintermediate lines,

c. simultaneously and continuously moving the supports of said endlessrow from said one end to said opposite end and while feeding saidarticles onto said one end whereby said articles on said sheet will formand be positioned in a series of troughs between adjacent pairs of saidintermediate lines and will be moved to and discharged over saidopposite end,

d. receiving said articles discharged from said opposite end andsupporting and guiding them downwardly in adjoining relation inseparate, parallel files to discharge points aligned in a horizontallyextending row,

e. supporting and moving the containers of an endless row in a path oftravel parallel with and adjacent to said row of discharge points inpositions to receive articles discharged from said points upon movementof said containers therepast,

f. holding said articles at said discharge points against release fromeach of said successions for discharge until a container of said movingrow is in a position to receive the lower end article of one of saidsuccessions and then g. discharging the lower end article into thecontainer that is in a position to receive the same.

3. In the method as defined in claim 2;

h. controlling the rate of feeding articles onto said one end of saidsheet by the weight of articles so fed onto and supported on said sheet.

4. The method of packaging discrete, rollable articles of approximatelyuniform shape and size that comprises the steps of:

a. supporting a layer of said articles for movement in a horizontallyextending path in one direction for discharge of said articles from saidpath along a fixed line disposed normal to said direction of travel, andso moving the articles of said layer;

b. receiving said articles so discharged along said line, and thenguiding and supporting said articles so received in separate successionsextending from said line to spaced points for movement longitudinally ofsaid files under the influence of gravity to separate discharge pointsto provide a leading article in each succession at each discharge point;

e. supporting a row of containers for movement thereof past saiddischarge points in positions for receiving articles discharged at saidpoints, and so moving said containers;

d. releasing the said leading article from said succession under theinfluence of movement of said container under the influence of movementof said container past said discharge point whereby each container willreceive a plurality of articles with at least one from each succession;

e. automatically separating said articles from a bulk supply thereof andconveying and discharging them into said path at a point remote fromsaid fixed line for forming said layer in said path;

f. supporting said layer during movement in said path for verticalmovement proportional to changes in the weight of the articles in saidpath providing downward movement under a predetermined increase in saidweight and an upward movement under a predetermined decrease of saidweight;

g. automatically regulating the rate of discharge of said articles intosaid path under the influence of said vertical movement to increase saidrate of discharge upon said upward movement and to decrease in said rateof movement upon said downward movement.

5. The method of packaging discrete, rollable articles of approximatelyuniform shape and size that comprises the steps of:

. supporting a layer of said articles for movement in fixed linedisposed normal to said direction of article-releasing means at-thelower ends of said channels for releasing articles, one at a time, intocontainers to be moved past said lower ends..

1. in a machine as defined in claim 6;

h. said channels comprising adjacent spaced pairs of elongated stripseach of inverted V-shape in cross sectional contour whereby the sides ofthe chantraveLand so moving the articles of said layer; 7 nels ofeachpair provide generally downwardly b. receiving said articles sodischarged along said convergent surfaces for supporting an articleline, andthen guiding and supporting said articles thereagainst and I iso received in separate successions extending from i. strip-supportingmeans for supporting said strips said line to spaced points for movementlongitufor reciprocable vibrating movement longitudinally of said filesunder the influence of gravity l0 dinally thereof and to separatedischarge points to provide a leading j. means connecting said powermeans with said article in each succession at each discharge point;strips for vibrating the strips of adjacent pairs supporting a row ofcontainers for movement thereof approximately longitudinally thereof.

.thereof past said discharge'points in positions for 8. In a machine asdefined in claim 7; receiving articles discharged atsaid points, and sok. said means supporting said strips for said moving said containers;reciprocable vibrating movement comprising d. releasing the said leadingarticle from said succesupper and lower extensions of. said strip onwhich sion under the influence of movement of said conthe upper andlower ends of said strips are slidable tainer past said discharge pointwhereby each conlongitudinally of the latter, and means supportingtainer will receive a plurality of articles with at saidstrip-supporting means stationary relative to least one from eachsuccession; i said strips. I I I said separate successions beingsupported from 9. In a machine asdefined in claim 6;

below in filesinclineddownwardly and away from h. the upper surface ofsaid plate being formedwith said fixed line generally in said onedirection to upwardly projecting spaced ridges extending transsaiddischarge points, whereby the articles in each verselythereacross-forengagement with articles file will be supported for downward movement ina on said plate during said vibration o Said plate, path of travelcoincident with eachflfile upon each and release of the leading .articlein each file; I i. said plate-supporting mans including rollerscarryconstantly applying a twisting force in opposite ing said plate forsaid vibrating movement relative directions to each article ineachsuccession about e an axis generally perpendicular to the path of In amachine fi e in c i '6; movement of articles-in each file to facilitatemainfeed means including a horizontally extending taining the articlesin each file in adjoining relation ri r f r ai r icles having adischarge end for during downward movement of the articles in eachdischarge of articles ther fr I including a file under theinfluence ofgravity. I downwardly inclined sheet-like support along said 6. in amachine for packaging plural, approximately discharge e d for pportingarticles for round articles of similar relatively uniform sizeincluddownward movement of Said Carrier, ing: i. said plate-supportingmeans including pivot means a. a horizontally extending row ofcorresponding 40 supporting Said plate at different degrees ofchannels'inclined relative to vertical each having inclination with thepp r g of a d plate in a an open side facing generally upwardly forsupposition closely adjacent to and at approximately porting a singlefile of said articles in each channel, the level of said sheet-likesupport for receiving arand the upper and lower terminal ends of saidtiCleS from elatterchannels being open and respectively terminating 11.In a machine including a main frame,for numerialong horizontallyextending lines, cally packaging plural rollable articles ofapproximatean elongated plate extending longitudinally of and U the Sameh p and Size, c mpri ing:

adjacent to the upper open ends of said channels a. article-supportingmeans for supporting said artitilted transversely of its lengthgenerally in the cles in plural successions for movement to samedirection as the inclination of said channels separate di charge pointsproviding a leading end to provide an upper article-receiving surface,article in each succession adjacent said discharge plate-supportingmeans for supporting said plate in point for discharge therefrom and atrailing end ara position for receiving said objects on its said ticleat the pp end Ofeach Succession; upper surface for rolling thereacrossinto said open bfeed means for eeding articles from a supply to upperends of said channels, the trailing ends of said successions formaintainfeed-means above said plate for feeding said artiing a supply ofarticles in each uc i obs in generally random arrangement onto'said c.container-supporting means for supporting and plate, moving pluralcontainers in a row in one direction power-actuated means connected withsaid plate longitudinally of said row past said discharge for vibratingit longitudinally thereof to facilitate points in article-receivingpositions for receiving a the rolling of articles thereon transverselythereof, leading end article in each container for each of guide meansadjacent to the upper ends of said said successions; I I

channels for guiding the articles on said plate into d.article-releasing means actuated by movement of the upper open ends ofsaid channels and each container-supporting means past each ofsaiddischarge points, for movement, for releasing the leading endarticle of each succession of articles for discharge into each containerduring movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holdingits companion succession in a leading position for release into the nextcontainer in said row upon actuation thereof;

1. valve means in said conduit responsive to said upward and downwardmovement of said portion of said table for increasing said resistance toflow of said fluid in said conduit upon downward movement of saidportion and for relieving said resistance to said flow upon said upwardmovement of said portion whereby movement of said articlesaid feed meansincluding a frame having opposite 5 moving means will be regulated fordelivering artiends and a carrier for articles carried thereby excles tosaid article-supporting means at'a relatively tending from one end ofsaid frame to the opposite uniform rate. end thereof, said carrierhaving an article-receiv- 14. In a machine as defined in claim 11: ingportion adjacent to said one end of said frame; k. means for varying therate of movement of said ararticle-moving means engaging said carrierfor ticle moving means independently of said speedmoving articlesthereon from said one end to said control means. opposite end fordischarge from said opposite end; 15. In a machine including a mainframe, for numerig. actuating means connected with said article-movcallypackaging plural rollable articles of approximateing means for so movingsaid articles on said carril ly the same shape and size, comprising: erto said opposite end; a. article-supporting means for supporting saidartih. frame-supporting means for supporting said carricles in pluralsuccessions for movement to er in a position with said opposite endthereof over separate discharge points providing a leading end saidarticle-supporting means for discharge of artiarticle in each successionadjacent said discharge cles from said carrier to saidarticle-supporting point for discharge therefrom and a trailing endarmeans for so maintaining said plural succession of ticle at theopposite end of each succession; articles on said article-supportingmeans, and for b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply tosupporting said frame and carrier for automatic the trailing ends ofsaid successions for maintainupward and downward movement thereof abouting asupply f arti l s n a su ssi n; an axis along said opposite end ofsaid carrier c ntainer-supp rting means for supporting and under theinfluence of change in weight of articl moving plural containers in arow in one direction disposed on said receiving portion of said carrier;longitudinally of said row past said discharge i. continuously movingconveyor means for conductpoints in article-receiving positions forreceiving a ing articles from a bulk supply thereof to said artileadingend article in each container for each of cle-receiving portion of saidcarrier and for d SUCCeSSiOIlS; discharging said articles on saidportion, article-releasing means actuated by movement of j.automatically actuatable speed-control means each container-supportingmeans past each of said operatively connecting said conveyor means withdischarge points, for movement, for releasing the said carrier actuatedby downward movement of leading end article of each succession ofarticles said article-receiving portion under the influence fordischarge into each container during moveof the weight of articlestherein for decreasing the ment of said containers therepast, and formoving rate of movement of said conveyor means and acand holding itscompanion succession in a leading tuated by upward movement of saidarticle-receivposition for release into the next container in said ingportion upon a reduction in the weight of arti- 4O row upon actuationthe cles on said portion for increasing the rat of said feed meansincluding a horizontally disposed, movement of said conveyor means tomaintain a flexi le, Sheet and a rigid frame supporting said relativelyuniform load on said carrier. sheet slack between two opposite edges ofthe 12. In a machine as defined in claim 11: latter with one of saidedges along and above said it. manually actuatable speed control meansfor adarticle-supporting means for delivery of articles justing the rateof movement of said conveyor deposited on the portion of said sheetadjacent to means under a predetennined load on said carrier the edgeopposite to said one of said edges onto independently of saidautomatically actuatable said article supporting means upon movement ofspeed control means. said articles from said portion to and over saidone 13. In a machine as defined in claim 11: of said edges for therebyproviding and maintaink. said speed-control means including drivingmeans ing said plural successions upon discharge of leadhaving avariable speed pulley therein for driving ing articles therefrom; saidconveyor means at different speeds, and an f. article-moving means belowsaid sheet supporting endless conduit for fluid including a gear pumpthe latter along at least one line of engagement having a housingprovided with an inlet and outlet therewith parallel with said one edgein a position for circulation of fluid through said housing and forsagging of said sheet-like support at the side of conduit in onedirection upon driving one of the said line facing said one edge toprovide a trough gears in said housing and a power-actuated drive atsaid one side for articles delivered onto said porshaft connected withone of said gears for driving tion, and actuating means connected withsaid artithe latter, said housing being supported for oscillaole-movingmeans for moving the latter in a tory movement about said drive shaftunder the indirection from said edge opposite to said one edge fluenceof variations in the resistance to flow of of said sheet for movingarticles in said trough to fluid in said conduit during actuation ofsaid drive and over said one edge for falling onto said articleshaft;and supporting means;

said article-supporting means comprising a horizontally extending row ofchannels inclined relative to vertical having their upper ends ad-

1. The method of packaging discrete, rollable articles of approximatelyuniform shape and size that comprises the steps of: a. supporting alayer of said articles for movement in a horizontally-extending path inone direction for discharge of said articles from said path along afixed, horizontal line disposed normal to said direction of travel, andso moving the articles of said layer, b. receiving said articles sodischarged along said line, and then guiding and supporting saidarticles so received in files of separate successions extending fromsaid line to spaced points for movement longitudinally of said filesunder the influence of gravity to separate discharge points to provide aleading article in each succession at each discharge point; c.supporting a row of containers for movement thereof past said dischargepoints in positions for receiving articles discharged at said points,and so moving said containers; d. releasing the said leading articlefrom said succession under the influence of movement of said containerpast said discharge point whereby each container will receive aplurality of articles with at least one from each succession; e. rollingsaid articles of said layer during movement thereof to said fixed lineby force continuously applied to said articles along straight, parallel,horizontal spaced lines parallel To said fixed line and continuouslymoved toward said fixed horizontal line whereby said articles of saidlayer will arrange themselves along straight, parallel, spaced linesparallel to said fixed line before arriving at said fixed line forsimultaneous discharge of the articles in each of said straight,parallel, spaced lines arriving at said fixed line for forming saidfiles.
 2. The method of packaging discrete, rollable articles ofapproximately uniform shape and size including the steps of: a. feedingsaid articles from a bulk source of supply onto one end of a relativelyslack, horizontally disposed, flexible, stationarily held sheet at saidone end only and at the opposite end opposite thereto along parallel endlines, b. supporting the portion of said sheet between said end lines onsupports of an endless row disposed along parallel spaced, intermediatelines in side-by-side relation parallel with said end lines supportedfor movement in a horizontal plane at a level for sagging of said sheetbetween adjacent pairs of the supports supporting said sheet along saidintermediate lines, c. simultaneously and continuously moving thesupports of said endless row from said one end to said opposite end andwhile feeding said articles onto said one end whereby said articles onsaid sheet will form and be positioned in a series of troughs betweenadjacent pairs of said intermediate lines and will be moved to anddischarged over said opposite end, d. receiving said articles dischargedfrom said opposite end and supporting and guiding them downwardly inadjoining relation in separate, parallel files to discharge pointsaligned in a horizontally extending row, e. supporting and moving thecontainers of an endless row in a path of travel parallel with andadjacent to said row of discharge points in positions to receivearticles discharged from said points upon movement of said containerstherepast, f. holding said articles at said discharge points againstrelease from each of said successions for discharge until a container ofsaid moving row is in a position to receive the lower end article of oneof said successions and then g. discharging the lower end article intothe container that is in a position to receive the same.
 3. In themethod as defined in claim 2; h. controlling the rate of feedingarticles onto said one end of said sheet by the weight of articles sofed onto and supported on said sheet.
 4. The method of packagingdiscrete, rollable articles of approximately uniform shape and size thatcomprises the steps of: a. supporting a layer of said articles formovement in a horizontally extending path in one direction for dischargeof said articles from said path along a fixed line disposed normal tosaid direction of travel, and so moving the articles of said layer; b.receiving said articles so discharged along said line, and then guidingand supporting said articles so received in separate successionsextending from said line to spaced points for movement longitudinally ofsaid files under the influence of gravity to separate discharge pointsto provide a leading article in each succession at each discharge point;c. supporting a row of containers for movement thereof past saiddischarge points in positions for receiving articles discharged at saidpoints, and so moving said containers; d. releasing the said leadingarticle from said succession under the influence of movement of saidcontainer under the influence of movement of said container past saiddischarge point whereby each container will receive a plurality ofarticles with at least one from each succession; e. automaticallyseparating said articles from a bulk supply thereof and conveying anddischarging them into said path at a point remote from said fixed linefor forming said layer in said path; f. supporting said layer duringmovement in said path for vertical movement proportional to changes inthe weight of the articles iN said path providing downward movementunder a predetermined increase in said weight and an upward movementunder a predetermined decrease of said weight; g. automaticallyregulating the rate of discharge of said articles into said path underthe influence of said vertical movement to increase said rate ofdischarge upon said upward movement and to decrease in said rate ofmovement upon said downward movement.
 5. The method of packagingdiscrete, rollable articles of approximately uniform shape and size thatcomprises the steps of: a. supporting a layer of said articles formovement in a horizontally extending path in one direction for dischargeof said articles from said path along a fixed line disposed normal tosaid direction of travel, and so moving the articles of said layer; b.receiving said articles so discharged along said line, and then guidingand supporting said articles so received in separate successionsextending from said line to spaced points for movement longitudinally ofsaid files under the influence of gravity to separate discharge pointsto provide a leading article in each succession at each discharge point;c. supporting a row of containers for movement thereof past saiddischarge points in positions for receiving articles discharged at saidpoints, and so moving said containers; d. releasing the said leadingarticle from said succession under the influence of movement of saidcontainer past said discharge point whereby each container will receivea plurality of articles with at least one from each succession; e. saidseparate successions being supported from below in files inclineddownwardly and away from said fixed line generally in said one directionto said discharge points, whereby the articles in each file will besupported for downward movement in a path of travel coincident with eachfile upon each release of the leading article in each file; f.constantly applying a twisting force in opposite directions to eacharticle in each succession about an axis generally perpendicular to thepath of movement of articles in each file to facilitate maintaining thearticles in each file in adjoining relation during downward movement ofthe articles in each file under the influence of gravity.
 6. In amachine for packaging plural, approximately round articles of similarrelatively uniform size including: a. a horizontally extending row ofcorresponding channels inclined relative to vertical each having an openside facing generally upwardly for supporting a single file of saidarticles in each channel, and the upper and lower terminal ends of saidchannels being open and respectively terminating along horizontallyextending lines, b. an elongated plate extending longitudinally of andadjacent to the upper open ends of said channels tilted transversely ofits length generally in the same direction as the inclination of saidchannels to provide an upper article-receiving surface, c.plate-supporting means for supporting said plate in a position forreceiving said objects on its said upper surface for rolling thereacrossinto said open upper ends of said channels, d. feed means above saidplate for feeding said articles in generally random arrangement ontosaid plate, e. power-actuated means connected with said plate forvibrating it longitudinally thereof to facilitate the rolling ofarticles thereon transversely thereof, f. guide means adjacent to theupper ends of said channels for guiding the articles on said plate intothe upper open ends of said channels and g. article-releasing means atthe lower ends of said channels for releasing articles, one at a time,into containers to be moved past said lower ends.
 7. In a machine asdefined in claim 6; h. said channels comprising adjacent spaced pairs ofelongated strips each of inverted V-shape in cross sectional contourwhereby the sides of the channels of each pair provide generallydownwardly convergent surfaces for suppOrting an article thereagainstand i. strip-supporting means for supporting said strips forreciprocable vibrating movement longitudinally thereof and j. meansconnecting said power means with said strips for vibrating the strips ofadjacent pairs thereof approximately longitudinally thereof.
 8. In amachine as defined in claim 7; k. said means supporting said strips forsaid reciprocable vibrating movement comprising upper and lowerextensions of said strip on which the upper and lower ends of saidstrips are slidable longitudinally of the latter, and means supportingsaid strip-supporting means stationary relative to said strips.
 9. In amachine as defined in claim 6; h. the upper surface of said plate beingformed with upwardly projecting spaced ridges extending transverselythereacross for engagement with articles on said plate during saidvibration of said plate, and i. said plate-supporting mans includingrollers carrying said plate for said vibrating movement relativethereto.
 10. In a machine as defined in claim 6; h. feed means includinga horizontally extending carrier for said articles having a dischargeend for discharge of articles therefrom, including a downwardly inclinedsheet-like support along said discharge end for supporting articles fordownward movement of said carrier, i. said plate-supporting meansincluding pivot means supporting said plate at different degrees ofinclination with the upper edge of said plate in a position closelyadjacent to and at approximately the level of said sheet-like supportfor receiving articles from the latter.
 11. In a machine including amain frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles ofapproximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supportingmeans for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement toseparate discharge points providing a leading end article in eachsuccession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and atrailing end article at the opposite end of each succession; b. feedmeans for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of saidsuccessions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession; c.container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containersin a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said dischargepoints in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading endarticle in each container for each of said successions; d.article-releasing means actuated by movement of eachcontainer-supporting means past each of said discharge points, formovement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession ofarticles for discharge into each container during movement of saidcontainers therepast, and for moving and holding its companionsuccession in a leading position for release into the next container insaid row upon actuation thereof; e. said feed means including a framehaving opposite ends and a carrier for articles carried therebyextending from one end of said frame to the opposite end thereof, saidcarrier having an article-receiving portion adjacent to said one end ofsaid frame; f. article-moving means engaging said carrier for movingarticles thereon from said one end to said opposite end for dischargefrom said opposite end; g. actuating means connected with saidarticle-moving means for so moving said articles on said carrier to saidopposite end; h. frame-supporting means for supporting said carrier in aposition with said opposite end thereof over said article-supportingmeans for discharge of articles from said carrier to saidarticle-supporting means for so maintaining said plural succession ofarticles on said article-supporting means, and for supporting said frameand carrier for automatic upward and downward movement thereof about anaxis along said opposite end of said carrier under the influence ofchange in weight of articles disposed on said receiving portion of saidcarrier; i. continuously moving conveyor means for conducting articlesfrom a bulk supply thereof to said article-receiving portion of saidcarrier and for discharging said articles on said portion; j.automatically actuatable speed-control means operatively connecting saidconveyor means with said carrier actuated by downward movement of saidarticle-receiving portion under the influence of the weight of articlestherein for decreasing the rate of movement of said conveyor means andactuated by upward movement of said article-receiving portion upon areduction in the weight of articles on said portion for increasing therate of movement of said conveyor means to maintain a relatively uniformload on said carrier.
 12. In a machine as defined in claim 11: k.manually actuatable speed control means for adjusting the rate ofmovement of said conveyor means under a predetermined load on saidcarrier independently of said automatically actuatable speed controlmeans.
 13. In a machine as defined in claim 11: k. said speed-controlmeans including driving means having a variable speed pulley therein fordriving said conveyor means at different speeds, and an endless conduitfor fluid including a gear pump having a housing provided with an inletand outlet for circulation of fluid through said housing and conduit inone direction upon driving one of the gears in said housing and apower-actuated drive shaft connected with one of said gears for drivingthe latter, said housing being supported for oscillatory movement aboutsaid drive shaft under the influence of variations in the resistance toflow of fluid in said conduit during actuation of said drive shaft; and14. In a machine as defined in claim 11: k. means for varying the rateof movement of said article moving means independently of saidspeed-control means.
 15. In a machine including a main frame, fornumerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the sameshape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supportingsaid articles in plural successions for movement to separate dischargepoints providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent saiddischarge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article atthe opposite end of each succession; b. feed means for feeding articlesfrom a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining asupply of articles in each succession; c. container-supporting means forsupporting and moving plural containers in a row in one directionlongitudinally of said row past said discharge points inarticle-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in eachcontainer for each of said successions; d. article-releasing meansactuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each ofsaid discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading endarticle of each succession of articles for discharge into each containerduring movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holdingits companion succession in a leading position for release into the nextcontainer in said row upon actuation thereof; e. said feed meansincluding a horizontally disposed, flexible, sheet and a rigid framesupporting said sheet slack between two opposite edges of the latterwith one of said edges along and above said article-supporting means fordelivery of articles deposited on the portion of said sheet adjacent tothe edge opposite to said one of said edges onto said article supportingmeans upon movement of said articles from saId portion to and over saidone of said edges for thereby providing and maintaining said pluralsuccessions upon discharge of leading articles therefrom; f.article-moving means below said sheet supporting the latter along atleast one line of engagement therewith parallel with said one edge in aposition for sagging of said sheet-like support at the side of said linefacing said one edge to provide a trough at said one side for articlesdelivered onto said portion, and actuating means connected with saidarticle-moving means for moving the latter in a direction from said edgeopposite to said one edge of said sheet for moving articles in saidtrough to and over said one edge for falling onto saidarticle-supporting means; g. said article-supporting means comprising ahorizontally extending row of channels inclined relative to verticalhaving their upper ends adjacent to and below said one edge of saidsheet and their lower ends adjacent to said discharge points; h. each ofsaid channels including stationary upper and lower end sections beingsecured rigid on said main frame; i. each of said channels includingupper and lower elongated channel sections spaced apart in longitudinalalignment with their open sides directed generally upwardly, and anintermediate channel section of similar cross-sectional contourextending at its upper and lower end portions below said upper and lowerchannel sections with said upper and lower end sections seated withinthe upper and lower end portions of said intermediate channel sectionsfor reciprocation longitudinally thereof relative to said upper andlower end sections; j. means yieldably supporting said intermediatesection in releasing engagement with said end sections; and k.section-reciprocating means connected with said sections forreciprocating them longitudinally thereof during feeding of articlesonto said channels.
 16. In a machine including a main frame, fornumerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the sameshape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supportingsaid articles in plural successions for movement to separate dischargepoints providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent saiddischarge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article atthe opposite end of each succession; b. feed means for feeding articlesfrom a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining asupply of articles in each succession; c. container-supporting means forsupporting and moving plural containers in a row in one directionlongitudinally of said row past said discharge points inarticle-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in eachcontainer for each of said successions; d. article-releasing meansactuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each ofsaid discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading endarticle of each succession of articles for discharge into each containerduring movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holdingits companion succession in a leading position for release into the nextcontainer in said row upon actuation thereof. e. saidarticle-releasing-means including a rotatable wheel for each successionhaving plural, circumferentially spaced radially opening pockets andmeans supporting each wheel in a position for receiving and holding saidleading end article of one of said successions for release thereof anddischarge into one of said containers upon rotation of said wheel in onedirection; f. means respectively operatively connected with each wheel,and with each container-supporting means, engageable upon movement ofsaid container-supporting means past said wheels for rotating each wheelto discharge an article therefrom into one of said containers; g. powermeans connected with said container-supporting means for continuouslymoving the latter past said discharge points; h. clutch means forintermittEntly engaging said power means with said wheels in succession,for rotating the latter to discharge said leading end article upon acontainer on said container-supporting means being in article-receivingposition and disengaging said power means with said wheels upon movementof one of said container supporting means past each wheel.
 17. In amachine including a main frame, for numerically packaging pluralrollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, comprising:a. article-supporting means for supporting said articles in pluralsuccessions for movement to separate discharge points providing aleading end article in each succession adjacent said discharge point fordischarge therefrom and a trailing end article at the opposite end ofeach succession; b. feed means for feeding articles from a supply to thetrailing ends of said successions for maintaining a supply of articlesin each succession; c. container-supporting means for supporting andmoving plural containers in a row in one direction longitudinally ofsaid row past said discharge points in article-receiving positions forreceiving a leading end article in each container for each of saidsuccessions; d. article-releasing means actuated by movement of eachcontainer-supporting means past each of said discharge points, formovement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession ofarticles for discharge into each container during movement of saidcontainers therepast, and for moving and holding its companionsuccession in a leading position for release into the next container insaid row upon actuation thereof; e. said feed means including ahorizontally disposed, flexible, sheet and a rigid frame supporting saidsheet slack between two opposite edges of the latter with one of saidedges along and above said article-supporting means for delivery ofarticles deposited on the portion of said sheet adjacent to the edgeopposite to said one of said edges onto said article supporting meansupon movement of said articles from said portion to and over said one ofsaid edges for thereby providing and maintaining said plural successionsupon discharge of leading articles therefrom; f. article-moving meansbelow said sheet supporting the latter along at least one line ofengagement therewith parallel with said one edge in a position forsagging of said sheet-like support at the side of said line facing saidone edge to provide a trough at said one side for articles deliveredonto said portion, and actuating means connected with saidarticle-moving means for moving the latter in a direction from said edgeopposite to said one edge of said sheet for moving articles in saidtrough to and over said one edge for falling onto saidarticle-supporting means.
 18. In a machine as defined in Claim 17: g.said article-moving means including other corresponding article-movingmeans spaced therefrom and from each other along lines parallel withsaid one edge for providing a plurality of troughs in said sheet andconnected with said actuating means for simultaneously moving saidtroughs to said one edge for delivery of the articles therein to saidarticle-supporting means.
 19. In a machine for packaging plural,rollable articles of approximately the same shape and size, thatincludes a horizontally disposed rectangular sheet, a pair of parallel,horizontally spaced, straight, horizontal frame members along twoopposite edges of said sheet supporting said sheet slack between saidtwo edges feed means for supplying articles onto said sheet along one ofsaid frame members and receiving means for receiving articles from saidsheet along the other of said frame members, the improvement of: a.moving means for moving articles deposited on said sheet along one ofsaid two frame members to the other thereof for discharge from saidsheet along said other frame member; b. said moving means comprising ahorizontally extending endless row of equally spaced, straight, Parallelrollers in side by side relation parallel with said pair of framemembers having an upper run and a lower run with the rollers of theupper run extending between said pair of frame members below and inengagement with the slack portion of said sheet with the sections ofsaid sheet between adjacent pairs of the rollers of said upper rundepending between said adjacent pairs providing upwardly opening troughsfor receiving therein the articles deposed on said sheet along said oneof said frame members; and c. means supporting said endless row ofrollers with the rollers of the upper run thereof in said engagementwith said sheet and for circulation of said row of rollers in adirection for movement of the rollers of the upper run in a directionfrom said one frame member to the other thereof for effecting movementof the articles deposited on said sheet from said one frame member tothe other and for aligning the so deposited in single rows parallel withand supported in said troughs for simultaneous discharge of the articlesof each such row at said other frame member, and means for socirculating said endless row of rollers.
 20. In a machine as defined inclaim 19: d. a row of article receiving channels along said other framemember each having one of its ends in a position for receiving one ofthe articles simultaneously discharged from said sheet along said otherframe member for delivery of the articles so received to packagesadjacent the opposite ends of said channels; and e. supply means fordelivering articles onto said sheet adjacent said one of said framemembers for movement on said sheet to said other frame member uponactuation of said article-moving means.
 21. In a machine including amain frame, for numerically packaging plural rollable articles ofapproximately the same shape and size, comprising: a. article-supportingmeans for supporting said articles in plural successions for movement toseparate discharge points providing a leading end article in eachsuccession adjacent said discharge point for discharge therefrom and atrailing end article at the opposite end of each succession, b. feedmeans for feeding articles from a supply to the trailing ends of saidsuccessions for maintaining a supply of articles in each succession, c.container-supporting means for supporting and moving plural containersin a row in one direction longitudinally of said row past said dischargepoints in article-receiving positions for receiving a leading endarticle in each container for each of said successions, d.article-releasing means actuated by movement of eachcontainer-supporting means past each of said discharge points, formovement, for releasing the leading end article of each succession ofarticles for discharge into each container during movement of saidcontainers therepast, and for moving and holding its companionsuccession in a leading position for release into the next container insaid row upon actuation thereof, e. said feed means including a framehaving opposite ends and a carrier for articles carried therebyextending from one end of said frame to the opposite end thereof, saidcarrier having an article-receiving portion adjacent to said one end ofsaid frame, f. article-moving means engaging said carrier for movingarticles thereon from said one end to said opposite end for dischargefrom said opposite end, and g. actuating means connected with saidarticle-moving means for so moving said articles on said carrier to saidopposite end, h. frame-supporting means for supporting said carrier in aposition with said opposite end thereof over said article-supportingmeans for discharge of articles from said carrier to saidarticle-supporting means for so maintaining said plural succession ofarticles on said article-supporting means, and for supporting said frameand carrier for automatic upward and downward movement thereof about anaxis along said opposite end of said carrier under thE influence ofchange in weight of articles disposed on said receiving portion of saidcarrier. i. continuously moving conveyor means for conducting articlesfrom a bulk supply thereof to said article-receiving portion of saidcarrier and for discharging said articles on said portion, j.automatically actuatable speed-control means operatively connecting saidconveyor means with said carrier actuated by downward movement of saidarticle-receiving portion under the influence of the weight of articlestherein for decreasing the rate of movement of said conveyor means andactuated by upward movement of said article-receiving portion upon areduction in the weight of articles on said portion for increasing therate of movement of said conveyor means to maintain a relatively uniformload on said carrier.
 22. In a machine as defined in claim 21; k.manually actuatable speed control means for adjusting the rate ofmovement of said conveyor means under a predetermined load on saidcarrier independently of said automatically actuatable speed controlmeans.
 23. In a machine as defined in claim 21; k. said speed-controlmeans including driving means having a variable speed pulley therein fordriving said conveyor means at different speeds, and an endless conduitfor fluid including a gear pump having a housing provided with an inletand outlet for circulation of fluid through said housing and conduit inone direction upon driving one of the gears in said housing and apower-actuated drive shaft connected with one of said gears for drivingthe latter, said housing being supported for oscillatory movement aboutsaid drive shaft under the influence of variations in the resistance toflow of fluid in said conduit during actuation of said drive shaft, and24. In a machine as defined in claim 21; k. means for varying the rateof movement of said article moving means independently of saidspeed-control means.
 25. In a machine including a main frame fornumerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the sameshape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supportingsaid articles in plural successions for movement to separate dischargepoints providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent saiddischarge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article atthe opposite end of each succession, b. feed means for feeding articlesfrom a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining asupply of articles in each succession, c. container-supporting means forsupporting and moving plural containers in a row in one directionlongitudinally of said row past said discharge points inarticle-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in eachcontainer for each of said successions, d. article-releasing meansactuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each ofsaid discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading endarticle of each succession of articles for discharge into each containerduring movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holdingits companion succession in a leading position for release into the nextcontainer in said row upon actuation thereof, e. said feed meansincluding a horizontally disposed, flexible, sheet and a rigid framesupporting said sheet slack between two opposite edges of the latterwith one of said edges along and above said article-supporting means fordelivery of articles deposited on the portion of said sheet adjacent tothe edge oppositE to said one of said edges onto said article supportingmeans upon movement of said articles from said portion to and over saidone of said edges for thereby providing and maintaining said pluralsuccessions upon discharge of leading articles therefrom, f.article-moving means below said sheet supporting the latter along atleast one line of engagement therewith parallel with said one edge in aposition for sagging of said sheet-like support at the side of said linefacing said one edge to provide a trough at said one side for articlesdelivered onto said portion, and actuating means connected with saidarticle-moving means for moving the latter in a direction form said edgeopposite to said one edge of said sheet for moving articles in saidtrough to and over said one edge for falling onto saidarticle-supporting means, g. said article-supporting means comprising ahorizontally extending row of channels inclined relative to verticalhaving their upper ends adjacent to and below said one edge of saidsheet and their lower ends adjacent to said discharge points, h. each ofsaid channels including stationary upper and lower end sections beingsecured rigid on said main frame, i. each of said channels includingupper and lower elongated channel sections spaced apart in longitudinalalignment with their open sides directed generally upwardly, and anintermediate channel section of similar cross-sectional contourextending at its upper and lower end portions below said upper and lowerchannel sections with said upper and lower end sections seated withinthe upper and lower end portions of said intermediate channel sectionsfor reciprocation longitudinally thereof relative to said upper andlower end sections, j. means yieldably supporting said intermediatesection in releasing engagement with said end sections, and k.section-reciprocating means connected with said sections forreciprocating them longitudinally thereof during feeding of articlesonto said channels.
 26. In a machine including a main frame, fornumerically packaging plural rollable articles of approximately the sameshape and size, comprising: a. article-supporting means for supportingsaid articles in plural successions for movement to separate dischargepoints providing a leading end article in each succession adjacent saiddischarge point for discharge therefrom and a trailing end article atthe opposite end of each succession, b. feed means for feeding articlesfrom a supply to the trailing ends of said successions for maintaining asupply of articles in each succession, c. container-supporting means forsupporting and moving plural containers in a row in one directionlongitudinally of said row past said discharge points inarticle-receiving positions for receiving a leading end article in eachcontainer for each of said successions, d. article-releasing meansactuated by movement of each container-supporting means past each ofsaid discharge points, for movement, for releasing the leading endarticle of each succession of articles for discharge into each containerduring movement of said containers therepast, and for moving and holdingits companion succession in a leading position for release into the nextcontainer in said row upon actuation thereof, e. said article-releasingmeans including a rotatable wheel for each succession having plural,circumferentially spaced radially opening pockets and means supportingeach wheel in a position for receiving and holding said leading endarticle of one of said successions for release thereof and dischargeinto one of said containers upon rotation of said wheel in onedirection, f. means respectively operatively connected with each wheel,and with each container-supporting means, engageable upon movement ofsaid container-supporting means past said wheels for rotating each wheelto discharge an article therefrom into one of said containers, g. powermeans connected with said container-supporting meAns for continuouslymoving the latter past said discharge points, h. clutch means forintermittently engaging said power means with said wheels in succession,for rotating the latter to discharge said leading end article upon acontainer on said container-supporting means being in article-receivingposition and disengaging said power means with said wheels upon movementof one of said container supporting means past each wheel.